Subject:
Title
Quality Improvement Grant Award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the Health Care for the Homeless Program.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval by the County Administrator of the Quality Improvement (QI) Grant Award for the Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) Program.
Body
Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
2.2 Be a facilitator, convener and purchaser of services for those in need
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and our Customers
5.1 Maximize partner relationships and public outreach
5.2 Be responsible stewards of the public’s resources
Summary:
Each year, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awards health centers with one-time supplemental grant funding based on quality improvement measures reported from the 2015 and 2016 Uniform Data System (UDS) performance reports.
Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners was awarded $75,356.00 in FY 2017 for its quality improvement efforts including its Patient Centered Medical Home Recognition achieved this past year. The award provides one-time funding for use during the period of August 9, 2017, through August 8, 2018. Funds must be used to support quality improvement activities which include, but are not limited to: developing and improving health center QI systems and infrastructure, including training staff, developing policies and procedures, enhancing health information technology, certified electronic health record, and data systems, data analysis; and/or developing and improving care delivery systems, including care coordination, case management, medication management, laboratory reporting and tracking, training and workflow redesign to support team-based care, clinical integration of behavioral health, oral health, HIV care, and other services; and/or patient engagement activities.
The County will be working closely with the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas and the County’s Business Technology Services Department to enhance our electronic health record capabilities, provide staff hours to assist with data analysis, and provide additional training to clinical staff.
The HCH Co-Applicant Board will accept the award on September 12, 2017.
Background/Explanation:
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced nearly $105 million to 1,333 health centers in all U.S. states, territories and the District of Columbia as an investment in quality improvement, building upon their 2016 achievements. Health centers will use these funds to expand current quality improvement systems and infrastructure and to improve primary care service delivery in the communities they serve.
Health centers are receiving these funds based upon high levels of performance in one or more of the following categories: Improving Quality of Care, Advancing Health Equity, Maintaining Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Recognition, Enhancing Access to Care, and Delivering Value.
The Health Care for the Homeless program served 2,306 homeless individuals in 2016 with preventive primary medical care services.
Fiscal Impact:
One-time federal grant award for $75,356.00 for the Health Care for the Homeless program. This award is not included in the Fiscal Year 2018 Tentative Budget.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to accept this grant award is granted under (Code Section 2-62 (a)(1).
Staff Member Responsible:
Lourdes Benedict, Director
Partners:
Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County
HCH Co-Applicant Board
Operation PAR
Directions for Living
Catholic Charities/Pinellas Hope
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office/Safe Harbor
Homeless Empowerment Program
St. Vincent de Paul St. Petersburg
St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen, Clearwater
Salvation Army
Homeless Leadership Board
Attachments:
Notice of Award, H80CS00024-16-03